Local firefighters take down robber

An elderly woman is thankful for a group of Montgomery County firefighters after they apprehended a 34-year-old Landover man who attempted to steal her purse as she walking in a shopping center parking lot in Chillum to purchase food for Thanksgiving.

Montgomery County police said the attempted robbery took place around 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 in the 6800 block of New Hampshire Avenue at the Takoma Park Plaza.

“When our patrol units arrived on the scene they saw the group of firefighters detaining 34-year-old Hassan Jihad Marshall of the 15000 block of Beacon Ridge Drive in Landover,” said MCPD spokesperson Officer Nicole Hubbard. “Our preliminary investigation reveals the firefighters from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Engine Company 2 – Takoma Park, were picking up food for their Thanksgiving day shift when they heard screaming. They looked over and saw the suspect hit the victim, grab her purse and begin to run away. The firefighters ran after him and were able to hold him until our patrol officers arrived.”

Police charged Marshall with first-degree assault and armed robbery, among other charges. He is being held at the county detention center without bond.